Key identification means



Nov. 14, 1950 w. F. ROTHE 2,529,815

KEY IDENTIFICATION MEANS Original Filed July 25, L946 Fici. 5. P

INVENTOR. Walier E Roi/0e.

Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,529,815 KEY IDENTIFICATION MEANS Walter F. Rothe, Washington, D.-'C.

Original application July. 25, 1946, Serial No.

686,129. Divided and this application December 16, 1947, Serial No. 791,983

My present invention relates to keys with arrangements in the key head for identifying in dividual keys, and is a division of my prior copending application for Key Identification Means, Serial No. 686,129, filed July 25, 1946.

As pointed out in this prior application keys are usually carried in a bunch on a key-ring or the like and in order to obtain entrance through a locked door to a house, garage or other building it is necessary to first find the proper key for the door to be unlocked. If a large number of keys are on the key-ring, it is usually necessary to try several or more of the keys before the right key is found to fit the look. 'It is difficult to pick out the correct key from the bunch even in broad daylight, but at night, in the dark, it is an extremely difiicult matter, unless some effective and simple arrangement of key identification is provided.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a novel means of key identification,

whereby individual keys may be quickly selected from among a bunch of keys either in light or in darkness.

Another object is to provide in the head of a key novel multiple identification means, whereby individual keys may be picked out of a large bunch of similarly shaped keys by color, luminosity, silhouette against a background, or the touch of the fingers to the contours of the identification means in the keyhead.

A further object is to form in the head of a metal key blank an embossed character indicative of a particular door to be opened, sothat blind or near-sighted individuals may by touch readily distinguish a particular key without need for light or vision.

A further object is to provide a novel key blank having different characters, such as letters or code numbers, cut out, and embossed in the metal key head, so that the key blanks as sold to the locksmiths may be made into keys with a letter or code number to represent a house, garage, or cabinet key, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a durable and permanent identification in the head of a key, which is formed from the metal head of the key as an integral part thereof.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are 2 Claims. ((31.40-2) not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views: V

Fig. 1 is a general perspective View of a key showing the head'thereof cut out and embossed to provide anindicating letter. 7

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse crosssection view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l. j Referring to the drawing in detail, there is "shown a key Iii, having a cut out head portion I l with an embossed letter or character i2 defined and formed as an integral part of the key head.

The character 12 is formed fromthe metal key view head ii in any suitable manner, as for example,

by'die members, not shown, so as to simultaneously cut out and emboss or cause one side of the character l2 to be raised above the normal flat surface of the key head. This is best shown in Figure 2, the fiat surface being represented by numeral i4 and the raised portion of the embossed character by number It. Thus with the flat surface M for a base or reference line with respect to the raised surface I5 on this side of the key head II, the outlines of the character are greatly accentuated and readily detected by touch without the aid of vision.

The reverse side of the key head II during the embossing and cutting steps in the formation of the character I2 is pushed into a concave surface W, with the result that the body of the character I2 is countersunk below the surface rim l8 of this side of the key head I l. The concave side of the head has a particular advantage in use for facilitating the holding of the key head between the thumb and forefinger and in protecting an additional indicating means coated on the underside of the character I2.

When the character i2 is embossed by die mem paint 2|, which may be of any desired color to provide the best possible light contrast for visibility; and third the channel 20 in combination with the fact that this side of the key head H is concave, provides for protection of the coated surface and prevents the same from being rubbed off after constant use of the key.

The use of the hereinbefore explained touch system of identification is by reference done only on the embossed or raised side of the character I2 to avoid any wearing of the luminous paint 2| on the concave side. Also, as the head is cut out around the embossed character, there is provided an additional advantage for key identification by silhouette. For example, the key head H ma be placed against any contrasting background, such as the palm of the hand, a handkerchief or the skyline, and a distinct silhouette of the particular character l2 formediin. the key head will stand out prominently.

There are thus provided novel and useful improvements in keys and key blanks, whereby much time is saved by permanently forming as an integral part of a key head, a durable and efficient indicating arrangement, so that prolonged fumbling with different keys in a ke bunch, causing considerable mental anguish when. time is short, is eliminated. Also, I have provided alternately usable-indicating means in the one key head for giving either visual or touch indications.

Although only one embodiment of my invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto, as various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts illus head providing a raised surface above the body of the head, said raised surface following the skeleton contour of the character on its convex side, to thereby be distinguishable by touch, and a channel formed in the reverse concave side of said character opposite to said raised convex surface and following the skeleton contour of the character in the head on its concave side, and a luminous surface on the bottom surface of said channel adapted to be visible in the dark.

2. In a key head, an indicating concavo-con- I vex skeleton character formed in said head, the

convex side of said character on one side of the head providing a raised surface above the body of the head, said raised surface following the skeleton contour of the character on its convex side, to thereb be distinguishable by touch, a channel formed in the reverse concave side of said character opposite to said raised convex surface and following the skeleton contour of the character in the head. on its concave side, and a contrasting coating over the bottom surface of said channel.

WALTER F. ROTHE.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES 1 PATENTS Quay r i Feb. 14,. 1.933 

